Senator Kim Announces Opposition to Mullin DHS Nomination, Calls for Broader Trump Administration Accountability

New Jersey Senator Andy Kim announced he will vote against the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, framing his opposition as part of broader concerns about Trump administration policies.

Kim made his position clear during an appearance on CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins, where he serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Disaster Management, District of Columbia, and Census.

“This is a referendum upon the Trump administration, what they have done when it comes to immigration, what they’ve done when they gutted FEMA,” Kim said during the interview. “I don’t support this policy. We’re currently in a shutdown with DHS. The White House is clearly signaled that they don’t want to move forward on the types of reforms that are needed to be able to push forward on…I cannot support this administration’s immigration policies.”

The senator emphasized that his concerns extend beyond individual appointments to systemic issues within the administration’s approach to homeland security and immigration enforcement.

“As someone who’s had it up close and seen how this has unfolded at the Department of Homeland Security, it’s Stephen Miller who’s in charge. It’s Stephen Miller that needs to be held accountable,” Kim stated. “This is not a place where I want the American people to think, ‘okay, you know, Kristi Noem’s the fall person. You know, she got her participation trophy. Now she’s out the door.’ Stephen Miller, Tom Homan — they still need to be held accountable for what they’ve done to this country.”

Kim specifically cited local concerns about immigration enforcement activities affecting New Jersey communities. According to the senator, ICE plans to establish a detention facility in Roxbury at a warehouse spanning eight football fields in size. As Kim has previously outlined in his legislative efforts, he has introduced bills to block federal funding for such migrant detention facilities.

“Nobody wants it there, not even the Republican leadership of that town wants that immigration detention facility there,” Kim said. “They need to be held accountable.”

The senator also raised concerns about military actions in Iran, calling for increased congressional oversight and public transparency. Drawing on his experience working in Afghanistan and Iraq, Kim criticized the administration’s handling of military operations.

“As someone who worked in Afghanistan and Iraq, the fact that we are in a war, and so clearly a war, as the Secretary of Defense is bragging about how it’s twice the number of firepower as shock and awe,” Kim said. “The American people are very concerned about this, and we need to shine a light on. We need public hearings. You know, this administration cannot continue to hide behind these classified briefings.”

Kim’s opposition to Mullin’s nomination comes as the Department of Homeland Security faces operational challenges, according to the senator’s comments about the current shutdown affecting the agency.

The senator’s stance reflects his broader critique of Trump administration policies across multiple areas of national security and domestic policy. His position as ranking member on the homeland security subcommittee gives him direct oversight responsibilities for disaster management and related issues affecting New Jersey and other states.

Kim’s announcement adds to the political debate surrounding Trump administration nominations and policies as senators prepare to vote on key appointments. The senator made clear that accountability measures should extend beyond individual personnel changes to address what he characterizes as systemic policy failures affecting immigration enforcement, disaster response, and military operations.